Commission Decision (EU) 2018/261 of 22
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Changes to legislation: There are currently no known outstanding effects for the Commission Decision (EU) 2018/261. (See end of Document for details) Commission Decision (EU) 2018/261 of 22 January 2014 on the measures SA.32014 (2011/C), SA.32015 (2011/C), SA.32016 (2011/C) implemented by the Region of Sardinia in favour of Saremar (notified under document C(2013) 9101) (Only the Italian text is authentic) (Text with EEA relevance) COMMISSION DECISION (EU) 2018/261 of 22 January 2014 on the measures SA.32014 (2011/C), SA.32015 (2011/C), SA.32016 (2011/C) implemented by the Region of Sardinia in favour of Saremar (notified under document C(2013) 9101) (Only the Italian text is authentic) (Text with EEA relevance) THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular the first subparagraph of Article 108(2) thereof, Having regard to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, and in particular Article 62(1) (a) thereof, Having called on interested parties to submit their comments pursuant to the provision(s) cited above(1) and having regard to their comments, Whereas: 1. PROCEDURE (1) By decision C(2011) 6961 final adopted on 5 October 2011 the Commission opened the formal investigation procedure(2) in respect of several measures adopted by Italy in favour of the companies of the former Tirrenia Group(3) (hereinafter the 2011 Decision). The 2011 Decision was published in the Official Journal of the European Union. The Commission invited interested parties to submit their comments on the measures covered by the 2011 Decision. (2) Italy submitted its observations on the 2011 Decision on 15 November 2011. The Commission received comments from interested parties. It forwarded them to Italy, which was given the opportunity to react. Italy's observations on the comments submitted by the interested parties were received by letters dated 24 April and 4 May 2012. (3) On 4 October 2011, 19 October 2011, 2 December 2011, 27 January 2012, 17 February 2012 and 28 February 2012, the Commission received new complaints on alleged aids to former Tirrenia Group companies and/or their acquirers. Some of 2 Commission Decision (EU) 2018/261 of 22 January 2014 on the measures SA.32014 (2011/C), SA.32015... Document Generated: 2020-12-29 Changes to legislation: There are currently no known outstanding effects for the Commission Decision (EU) 2018/261. (See end of Document for details) these complaints claimed new aids had been granted to Saremar – Sardegna Regionale Marittima (hereinafter Saremar) by the Sardinian Region (hereinafter RAS). (4) On 7 November 2012 the Commission extended the investigation procedure concerning, inter alia, certain support measures granted by RAS to Saremar. By decision C(2012) 9452 final of 19 December 2012 the Commission adopted an amendment to the Decision extending the investigation procedure (hereinafter the 2012 Decision)(4). The 2012 Decision was published in the Official Journal of the European Union. The Commission invited interested parties to submit their comments on the measures under investigation. (5) RAS's comments on the measures concerning Saremar were received on 13 December 2012 and 26 February 2013. (6) As concerns specifically these measures, the Commission received comments from the beneficiary and competitors. It forwarded them to Italy, which was given the opportunity to react. Italy did not comment on the observations of interested parties concerning the measures subject to this Decision. (7) By letter of 14 May 2013, RAS asked the Commission to separate from the formal investigation procedure opened by the 2011 and 2012 Decisions the measures concerning Saremar and to give priority to these measures, notably in view of the imminent privatisation of the company. (8) The measures in question have been discussed in several meetings between the Commission and RAS's representatives and Saremar on 24 April 2012, 2 May 2013, 10 July 2013 and 10 October 2013, and between the Commission and the complainants on 27 July 2012, 20 November 2012 and 8 August 2013. (9) By letter dated 6 August 2013 the Commission requested additional information to Italy on the measures subject to the investigation. Italy replied to this request on 26 September 2013 and 25 October 2013. (10) Further submissions from RAS and Saremar were received by the Commission on 3 September 2013, 24 October 2013, 13 November 2013 and 21 November 2013. (11) This Decision addresses RAS's request to treat with priority the measures concerning Saremar. 2. THE MEASURES SUBJECT TO INVESTIGATION BY VIRTUE OF THE 2011 AND 2012 DECISIONS (12) The formal investigation opened by the 2011 and 2012 Decisions covers the following measures: (a) Compensation for the provision of services of general economic interest (SGEIs) under the prolongation of the initial Conventions; Commission Decision (EU) 2018/261 of 22 January 2014 on the measures SA.32014 (2011/C), 3 SA.32015... Document Generated: 2020-12-29 Changes to legislation: There are currently no known outstanding effects for the Commission Decision (EU) 2018/261. (See end of Document for details) (b) The privatisation of the companies of the former Tirrenia Group, including a counter-guarantee to CdI, buyer of Siremar, and the deferred payment of the purchase price by CIN, buyer of Tirrenia di Navigazione; (c) The berthing priority; (d) The measures laid down by Law 163 of 1 October 2010 converting Decree Law 125/2010 of 5 August 2010; (e) Additional measures adopted by RAS in favour of Saremar (the compensation for the operation of two maritime routes between Sardinia and mainland Italy in 2011/2012, the Bonus Sardo – Vacanza project, the EUR 3 million loan and the letters of comfort, and the recapitalisation); (f) Misuse of rescue aid; (g) Compensation for the provision of SGEIs under the future Conventions/public service contracts. (13) This Decision concerns only certain measures adopted by RAS in favour of Saremar, which will be identified below. The Bonus Sardo — Vacanza project will be assessed separately. 2.1. THE BENEFICIARY (14) The Tirrenia Group initially consisted of six companies, namely Tirrenia di Navigazione (hereinafter Tirrenia), Adriatica, Caremar, Saremar, Siremar and Toremar. The companies provided maritime transport services under separate public service contracts concluded with the State in 1991, in force until end 2008 (hereinafter the initial Conventions). Public company Fintecna – Finanziaria per i Settori Industriale e dei Servizi S.p.A. (hereinafter Fintecna)(5) held 100 % of Tirrenia's share capital which in turn owned the regional companies Adriatica, Caremar, Saremar, Siremar and Toremar. (15) In 2004 Tirrenia merged with Adriatica. As of 2004, the Tirrenia Group was formed by Tirrenia, Caremar, Saremar, Siremar and Toremar(6). (16) Article 19ter of Decree law 135/2009 converted into Law 166/2009 (hereinafter the 2009 law) laid down, inter alia, that the regional companies Caremar, Saremar and Toremar were transferred to the Regions of Campania, Sardinia and Tuscany, in view of their privatisation. It also laid down that new Conventions would be concluded between the Italian State and Tirrenia and Siremar by 31 December 2009. Likewise, the provision of regional services would be enshrined in new Public Service Contracts to be concluded between Saremar, Toremar, and Caremar and the respective Regions by 31 December 2009 and 28 February 2010 respectively. The new Conventions/new public service contracts would enter into force upon privatisation of each of the companies of the former Tirrenia Group(7). (17) Saremar was thus transferred to RAS by virtue of the 2009 law. The company has traditionally operated purely local cabotage connections between Sardinia and the 4 Commission Decision (EU) 2018/261 of 22 January 2014 on the measures SA.32014 (2011/C), SA.32015... Document Generated: 2020-12-29 Changes to legislation: There are currently no known outstanding effects for the Commission Decision (EU) 2018/261. (See end of Document for details) islands to the north-east and south-west of Sardinia, and an international connection with Corsica, under the initial Convention with the State. Saremar has not developed unsubsidised activities. (18) By virtue of Regional Law 18 of 26 July 2013, the publication of the call for tenders for the privatisation of Saremar was postponed to 31 December 2013. This Decision does not prejudge the position of the Commission on other measures in favour of Saremar nor on any potential State aid issues raised by the privatisation of the company. All remaining measures covered by the 2011 and 2012 Decisions, including the Bonus Sardo – Vacanza project, are currently being investigated under cases SA.32014, SA.32015 and SA.32016 and are therefore not covered by this Decision. 2.2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE MEASURES COVERED BY THIS DECISION (19) Several measures have been adopted by RAS in 2011 and 2012 to promote tourism and regional development and ensure territorial continuity. According to RAS, those initiatives had been primarily justified by two significant developments on the market for transport services to the island in 2011. (20) First, although the parent company Tirrenia was put up for sale already in 2010, Compagnia Italiana di Navigazione (CIN) acquired the company and signed the new Convention only in July 2012. Presumably until the very date the new Convention was signed, it was uncertain whether maritime services between Sardinia to mainland Italy would continue to be subsidised and whether, under the new Convention with the buyer of Tirrenia, the scope of the public service would be reduced. (21) Second, private companies operating routes between Sardinia and the mainland, were being investigated by the Italian National Competition Authority (NCA) on a potential violation of Article 101 TFEU, because of a significant increase in transport prices on certain routes between Sardinia and the mainland.